Why? That is the question I find myself asking more than anything else. It's the question I teach my son is most important-- you should always know "why" you do something or you believe something. It is rooted in the Socrates quote "the unexamined life isn't worth living", because if we don't ask why, I worry we are guessing our way through life. But that's why I do this show, to be challenged to think differently. Nanxi, my guest today, approaches life somewhat differently. She understands the importance of asking why, but she more often asks "why not?"

It seems like such a subtle difference. In many ways it seems like the same question just asked from a different angle. When you step back and think about it though, "why not" is much more open and optimistic, where "why" can seem much more closed and skeptical. I think that is in line with how Nanxi lives. As you'll hear, she believes "pursuing excellence" is the most important value for her. She takes that "why not" approach to say "why not try to be the great at a whole bunch of different things in life?" Whether it be the companies she founded and led (most recently Blaze Technology, but she's been named Forbes 30 Under 30 and previously served as CEO and co-founder of Enplug and sold it for a 200x return), the Board of Directors she serves on, the TV show she produced and won an Emmy for, the top finish she had in the World Series of Poker, or the concert piano she plays-- she embodies pursuing excellence.

But that "why" vs. "why not" debate led to some really interesting discussions. Part of the value of asking "why" is to try to understand if pursuing excellence is something that you truly value and is authentic or if it's something you inherit from your childhood experiences and social pressures. Asking why also helps to understand if you have a healthy balance between your own enjoyment and personal achievement vs. helping others and giving back. As Nanxi explained though, these questions can be almost impossible to answer with any confidence, so sometimes taking the "why not" approach seems like the better way to go. As with most things in life, it seems like managing the duality between these two approaches is probably best--and I think ultimately it is that balance that makes Nanxi so successful and fulfilled in life.